10X TABOR: Strengthening Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights for Lower Costs and Greater Freedom

Posted May 2026

As your candidate for HD 36, I am committed to placing real power and real money back in the hands of Colorado families. My 10X TABOR proposal strengthens Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution to deliver automatic, larger refunds; close every revenue loophole; hold public officials personally accountable; and build dedicated, voter-approved endowment funds for predictable emergencies such as wildfires.

This is not symbolic reform. It is a practical plan that directly reduces your cost of living by returning surplus tax dollars to you—where they belong—while ensuring government operates with fiscal discipline and transparency.

How 10X TABOR Lowers Your Cost of Living

• Automatic, guaranteed refunds with 15% interest: Excess revenue is returned to taxpayers immediately via tax credits or direct payments—no politician vote required. Families receive larger, faster rebates that offset rising housing, energy, and grocery costs.
• Inflation-only spending limits: Government growth is capped at inflation (the lower of inflation or population change), forcing efficiency and preventing unchecked tax hikes that drive up living expenses.
• Every revenue source treated as a tax: Fees, charges, and reclassifications can no longer bypass voter approval, stopping hidden cost-of-living increases.
• Personal accountability for officials: Violations result in triple damages paid from the offending official’s own pocket—not yours—ensuring real deterrence and protecting your hard-earned dollars.
• Voter-controlled endowment funds: Dedicated savings accounts (capitalized at five times the highest historical emergency cost) cover wildfires, floods, and infrastructure without emergency tax increases or borrowing. Taxpayers may opt to direct refunds to these funds, giving you choice while building long-term security.

Cause-and-Effect: Direct Benefits to Colorado Families

• Lower effective taxes → More disposable income
• Predictable government budgeting → Stable cost of living
• Greater voter control → Reduced government waste
• Economic stimulus from refunds

Key Elements of My 10X TABOR Proposal

• Mandatory automatic refunds of all surplus revenue.
• Broad definition of “tax” covering any revenue-like mechanism.
• Personal liability (triple damages from officials’ own assets) for illegal collections.
• Voter-approved endowment funds for emergencies (e.g., 5× highest wildfire suppression year).
• Taxpayer option to direct refunds to these endowments.

Together, we can make government serve the people—not the other way around.

Nelson: focusing on what matters.

A Note on Constitutional Change

As your candidate for House District 36, I must be clear: I will not possess the authority, as a legislator, to amend the Colorado Constitution. Strengthening the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights through the 10X TABOR proposal can be accomplished only by the people of Colorado through a direct vote on the ballot. My commitment is to lead the effort to place this strengthened measure before the voters so that you—the citizens—may decide whether to enact these expanded taxpayer protections and cost-of-living relief measures.

This platform plank is subject to refinement based on voter feedback, legal review, and evolving fiscal data. My commitment to 10X TABOR remains unwavering.